FALSE000102430500010243052026-07-072026-07-07
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 7, 2026
Coty Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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| Delaware | | 001-35964 | | 13-3823358 |
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | | (Commission File Number) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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350 Fifth Avenue | | |
New York, | NY | | 10118 |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 389-7300
(Former name or former address, if changed from last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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| ☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
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| Title of each class | Trading symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | | |
| Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value | COTY | New York Stock Exchange | | |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.o
Item 8.01 Other Events
On July 7, 2026, Coty Inc. (the “Company”), Coty International B.V. (“Coty International”), HFC Prestige International Operations Switzerland S.à.R.L (together with the Company and Coty International, the “Coty Group”), Guccio Gucci S.p.A (“Guccio Gucci”), Gucci America Inc (together with Guccio Gucci, “Gucci”) and Kering S.A. (“Kering”) entered into a License Termination and Transition Agreement (the “Termination Agreement”). The Termination Agreement relates to the License Agreement for the exclusive right to manufacture and commercialize beauty products under the Gucci brand (“Gucci Beauty”), dated April 21, 2006, as amended from time to time (the “License Agreement”).
Pursuant to the terms of the Termination Agreement, the License Agreement will terminate on June 30, 2027, one year prior to its originally scheduled expiration, subject to an option to extend the termination date further at Kering’s request (as such date may be extended, the “Anticipated Termination Date”). Under the terms of the Termination Agreement, the Company will receive aggregate consideration of approximately $400 million. The Company received $250 million in cash upon signing the Termination Agreement, and will receive an additional $150 million, subject to a potential holdback of up to $30 million in certain specified circumstances, on the earlier of the Anticipated Termination Date and September 30, 2027. The proceeds are intended to be used to reduce the Company’s debt, reinvest in the Company’s core fragrance and beauty brands, and optimize the Company’s organizational set-up to reflect the new scope of its business.
Coty has also agreed to sell to Kering an amount of Gucci Beauty inventory sufficient to support the transition. The payments for inventory are payable following invoices throughout the transition period.
In connection with the transaction, Coty, Gucci and Kering have agreed to a mutual resolution of all pending litigation and related claims concerning the Gucci Beauty license, allowing the parties to focus on an orderly transition and their respective future strategic priorities.
A copy of the press release announcing this change is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1. A copy of the press release is also available on its website at www.investors.coty.com, under the “Investor News” tab.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d)Exhibits: | | | | | | | | |
Exhibit No. | | Description |
99.1 | | Press Release dated July 7, 2026. |
| 104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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| Coty Inc. | |
| (Registrant) | |
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Date: July 7, 2026 | By: | /s/ Kristin Blazewicz | |
| | Kristin Blazewicz | |
| | Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Secretary | |
COTY ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH KERING FOR EARLY TRANSITION OF GUCCI BEAUTY LICENSE
•Coty to receive approximately $400 million in consideration for the early termination plus sale of sufficient Gucci Beauty inventory to support the transition
•Coty to continue operating Gucci Beauty through at least June 30, 2027
•Proceeds expected to support debt paydown, reinvestment in Coty’s core prestige fragrance and beauty brands, and optimization of organizational set-up
New York, 7 July 2026 – Coty Inc. (NYSE: COTY) (Paris: COTY) (“Coty” or “the Company”) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to transition the Gucci Beauty license back to Kering for a consideration of approximately $400 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Coty will continue to operate the Gucci Beauty brand through at least June 30, 2027, ending the license approximately one year ahead of the original license term.
Markus Strobel, Executive Chairman and Interim CEO of Coty, said: “This agreement delivers a favorable outcome to conclude the Gucci Beauty license, enabling Coty to redeploy capital and focus on our priority brands. It recognizes the substantial value created in Gucci Beauty under our stewardship and enhances our financial flexibility.”
As part of the agreement, Coty received $250 million in cash at signing and will receive an additional $150 million no later than September 30, 2027, of which up to $30 million is contingent on certain criteria. Coty has also agreed to sell to Kering an amount of Gucci Beauty inventory sufficient to support the transition. Coty estimates cash taxes of approximately $30 million in connection with this transaction.
The transaction proceeds will be used to support debt reduction, investment in its core prestige fragrance and beauty portfolio, and organizational optimization to reflect the new scope of the business.
Coty acquired the Gucci Beauty license in 2016, and has grown the business into a world-class fragrance and beauty operation with market-leading innovation and internationally recognized campaigns. Since 2019, Coty has grown Gucci Beauty revenues by more than 60%, underpinned by enduring global franchises including Gucci Flora, Bloom, Guilty, and Alchemist Garden.
In connection with the transaction, Coty and Kering have agreed to a mutual resolution of all pending litigation and related claims concerning the Gucci Beauty license, allowing the parties to focus on an orderly transition and their respective future strategic priorities.
About Coty Inc.
Founded in Paris in 1904, Coty is one of the world’s largest beauty companies, with a portfolio of beloved brands across fragrance, color cosmetics, and skin and body care. Coty serves consumers around the world, selling prestige and mass market products in over 120 countries and territories. Together with its brands, Coty empowers people to express the beauty of their individuality – and is committed to transforming the beauty industry to become more sustainable and inclusive through its Beauty That Lasts strategy.
Learn more at coty.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Investor Relations
Olga Levinzon, +1 (212) 389-7733
olga_levinzon@cotyinc.com
Media
Antonia Werther, +31 621 394495
antonia_werther@cotyinc.com
